You heard me. The initial euphoria over the idea of a naughty librarian on the TV news each night for the next 4 to 8 years has worn off. Now, it back to hard, pragmatic reality and the reality is that she has no place in Washington, DC.

Want proof? Consider the following:

Only an amateur would speak off the cuff, as she usually does. Experienced politicians avoid speaking extemporaneously whenever possible. Otherwise, the electorate might find out what they really think.

If Palin had meaningful experience, she would have known that the job of Ethics Commissioner is SUPPOSED to be corrupt, thus saving her the trouble of resigning in protest and then running for the highest office in the state.

Only an amateur would attain political office by actually defeating opposing candidates at the ballot box. An experienced politician would have eliminated opposition candidates by protesting technical glitches in their nominating petitions or petitioning to change the party rules on how votes are counted in primary elections or hiring groups like ACORN to register 14 people who all, coincidentally, have the same names and reside at the same abandoned and boarded-up restaurant. Did she not once consider taking lessons from the Chicago political machine that got Obama elected? Sheesh.

Any experienced politician knows that upon assuming high office, you are supposed to demand a larger plane; not sell the useless behemoth that was recently purchased by your predecessor.

Only an amateur would implement a comprehensive energy and conservation policy shortly after taking office. A more experienced politician would have avoided the issue outright for at least 30 years while demonizing oil companies, then banning any voting on the topic followed by a recess vacation through the next election

Any experienced politician knows that once elected, you are not supposed to spend your first 20 months in office actually doing the job you were elected to do. You should be campaigning for another office – as Obama could have told her.

Sarah Palin was only supposed to TALK about government reform and utter platitudes about exiling corrupt, entrenched politicians – not actually do anything about it. She demonstrated her naivete by creating a smooth running government that included representatives of other political parties, thereby making it impossible for her to find a scapegoat if anything goes wrong.

Only a political greenhorn would thumb their nose at the environmental lobby by hunting and actually shooting moose and caribou. Worse yet, she foolishly told the truth: the proposed oil drilling site in ANWR is NOT the secret location of Eden but is, in fact, a barren wasteland.

What Sarah Palin does not seem to understand is that here in the 21st century, chief executives do not negotiate beneficial business deals for their states with foreign nations or take time to actually hang out with soldiers in Iraq. That time is better spent preening for the cameras in Berlin – something else a more seasoned and experienced politician such as Obama could have told her.

Holding oil companies accountable and successfully negotiating mutually productive agreements with them proves she does not understand their true purpose: if you work with them to the benefit of your state, you will no longer have a faceless villain to scare people into voting for you.

By creating new jobs instead of demonizing capitalism, Sarah foolishly enabled people to become more reliant on themselves and less reliant on government, hereby diminishing the dependant voter base – a classic newbie mistake. After all, if people have jobs, they will not have much need for the government and will be too busy enjoying their lives to protest the U.S., its corporations and, of course, opposing candidates.

Worse yet, Palin created a budget surplus and mailed it back to the taxpayers. Doesn’t she know that if the government generates a surplus, it’s doing something wrong? An experienced leader like Obama or Biden knows that taxpayer money belongs to the government – not to the people.

In another rankly amateurish move, she cooperated completely with government officials investigating accusations made against her. Experienced politicians know that you are supposed to stonewall, obfuscate, pressure libraries to expunge any record of unsavory political associations and ship potential witnesses off to Caribbean islands – another good reason not to sell the executive jet.

Yup, she is hopelessly inexperienced.

Sun. Aug 31, 8:05pm

I love using PT for weight loss motivation and I come to this community bulletin board for diet and exercise tips and of course support from others who are also working hard to lose weight and get healthy. With that said, this online community is not the place for heated political discussions. I'm sure there are plenty of online communities for people to argue their political viewpoints, just not this one.

Sunday, August 31, 2008, 10:32 PM

pp why dont you repeat this on all the other political threads or is it just this one because it makes sense and spells out the integrity of our future VP?

Monday, September 01, 2008, 1:00 AM

ok we get it, you like her a lot. I do too as a person. I admire her but I am worried about her anti-choice stance. She can decide that for herself (I totally respect that) but not for everyone else. Same with McCain.

Monday, September 01, 2008, 11:50 AM

1:00-
Okay, you raise a good point, I will post it on all of the other ones as well.

Monday, September 01, 2008, 2:55 PM

She's also 1) against abortion even in cases of rape and incest, 2) for mandatory teaching of creationism in the classroom.

Monday, September 01, 2008, 4:13 PM

How do you feel about her announcement today about about her 17 year old daughter being five months pregnant?

Monday, September 01, 2008, 6:40 PM

You suppose she is the first woman to have a 17 year old daughter get pregnant?

Monday, September 01, 2008, 7:23 PM

As long as Bill Clintons not the father..........

Monday, September 01, 2008, 7:24 PM

I think its hysterical that this morally self-rightous christian who I'm sure has preached "no sex before marriage" is now having to see the flaws in her own belief system sitting at her dinner table. So now she's going to have a shotgun (she'll be holding it I'm sure) wedding for this child. What is this, 1950? No, she's not the only one who has had a 17 year old daughter get pregnant but she's the only female vice president nominee to. I just think it puts a crack in the perfect exterior she was hoping to promote.

Monday, September 01, 2008, 8:32 PM

to 7:23

No... as a matter of fact I don't think that she is the first nor do I think that my mother was the first, I am the one who asked the question about what people thought about her daughter being pregnant. It was meant to spark a conversation. I would like to know what people think.
I don't think that it was asked with a slant to one side or the other or in a way to warrant your reaction. So you can keep your attitude.

Monday, September 01, 2008, 10:28 PM

the more I learn about her - whether I agree with her or not - I can't help but think she currently has a LOT on her plate and maybe she should consider taking a year off VS. running for VP! She has a toddler for crying out loud! And 4 other children, including a daughter who is going to need a lot of support in the months/years to come!!

I am female, I am all for women being able to do whatever they want but come on, this woman is spreading herself TOO thin!

AND yes I would say the same thing about a man who was running with a 5 children, including a toddler and pregnant teen!

Monday, September 01, 2008, 10:35 PM

Good point 10:35. I would say the same to a man running with the same kind of family demands. Her youngest child has Down Syndrome too. He will require lots of extra attention to get through development hurtles he faces. The whole family needs to come together to help him early on.

Probably being a governor has not been an easy for her family. If she just had the four oldest and they were thriving, then I would say she should go for it..

Monday, September 01, 2008, 11:45 PM

I'm not a Republican or a Palin supporter, but I think the media focus on her family is repulsive. I agree with what Obama said -- his mother was 18 when he was born and did a fine job, and people need to shut up about this poor girl and get back to the issues that concern the public.

Also today I read in the paper that Palin's husband (gasp!) got a DUI when he was in high school, which was when I was in high school, which was a f***ing LONG time ago. More recently he ran a red light. And he drives off-road in Alaska! Heavens to Betsy!!

What is WRONG with our US media? Isn't there something going on in Afghanistan today? It's totally sexist to focus on her family. Assume that while she's at the office her hubby or a nanny or grandma is taking care of the kids, and then you will be making the same assumption you do about a man.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 8:53 AM

Ugh, if only she were pro-choice, she's be perfect. I'm not sure I buy McCain as a "maverick", but she definitely is.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 9:47 AM

obamas mother was 18 - yes and did a good job - yes BUT and I say BUT - she was NOT running for VP of the USA!!!!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 2:45 PM

oops i meant her MOTHER was not running

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 2:46 PM

Lots of very young mothers do a wonderful job - the point is that they take the time to DO THE JOB ...

it's not about attacking her family, her PG daughter or her toddler with special needs - it's about whether ANYONE truly has the ability to do ALL that plus be VP of a huge Country and do ALL the jobs the justice they deserve!

Since she is essentially applying for a job that you have a say in whether she gets - it's worth considering ON TOP of whether or not her "positions" are in line with your own! If she's not your candidate, no further consideration is needed, but if she IS your candidate, it's worth thinking about!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 3:36 PM

I'm disgusted by how many of you believe that motherhood is a valid excuse to hold a woman back from doing a job that plenty of fathers have done. Like it isn't bad enough that men hold us to a double standard.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 4:30 PM

4:30 you missed the part where we also said we would say the same if a man with five young children - especially including the special needs two of these children are presenting their family at the moment - were running!!!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 4:38 PM

Unfortunately, men are seen in a different light because women are the traditional keepers of the family, which is why everyone is scrutinizing Palin even more. "If she is really a good mom then how can she be doing all this other stuff, holding down a job, running for VP, etc" Here is an example of roll reversal and she manages it quite well.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 5:03 PM

perhaps her job won't suffer.. but her family certainly will . i know first hand how much time it takes to properly care for a special needs child and - there is no way in hell that child will get enough maternal attention...

... but i guess thats not OUR problem......

BTW - the special needs baby is an infant and not a toddler as mentioned so many times.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 6:11 PM

"role" reversal

-buzzard

P.S.
And I haven't said anything about "not having kids" yet:-)

Tuesday, September 02, 2008, 6:17 PM

It seem so to me that everyday something else comes out about Sarah Palin, it just makes me wonder why she was so poorly veted and when the decision to pick her was made.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008, 1:12 PM

Um...yeah, that's called "contemporary politics". It happens to them all. It just seems more shocking because she hasn't been high-profile before now, and she's a she.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008, 6:14 PM

Personally I am tired of people saying that she is being attacked more because she is a woman. Its politics and everyone is aware of the harshness of it so don't hide behind being a woman every time someone says something mean, because being a woman is an asset not a hindrance.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008, 6:43 PM

My thought is if a male candidate had a 4 month old special needs infant and a pregnant 17 year old daughter who is getting married to her 18 year old boyfriend, and 3 other kids, he should probably hunker down, rally the family, take a good long hard look at what's what in the family sense and politely bow out of the offer for VP.

That poor pregnant daughter has been thrust into an international arena. I am sure she was taught abstainence as her only option. She is probably a major care giver for her infant brother too. In pictures, she looks completely stressed (what is this doing to her pregnancy?). It is fine to have lots of kids if you take good care of them. Stepping into this huge arena at this time in the Palin family history is not acting as a responsible parent. This is NOT a male or female issue in my mind...it's about being a responsible, compassionate and loving parent.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008, 10:06 PM

I agree with the pp.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008, 11:23 PM

Why do people of the US get so wrapped up in the abortion debate when there are massive global economic and political issues to deal with? Is this some way to keep the masses from actually making educated decisions?

Abortion is an important issue for some, but aren't there other issues people should pay attention to?

Sunday, September 14, 2008, 11:19 AM

Let's lay off Palin's personal and family life, shall we? It's true that all politicians in the spotlight get closely studied and picked on by the media, but I do think it's 1) irrelevant and 2) it distracts from what's REALLY important--- their stances on the issues and how well they will do in the Vice Presidency.

I was annoyed at the huge outrage of Bill Clinton's infidelity, and I am similarly annoyed at the judgments people are throwing at Palin for her family life. Nobody really knows what's going on in their personal lives except them.

Also, nobody should ever say "She has too much going on in her life, she shouldn't be running... she needs to be a mother/grandmother/etc. now."

Personally, I think Palin would make an absolutely horrible VP, but not because of anything in her personal life. If she believes in creationism, for example, that's totally fine, but to enact that as a rule for EVERYONE to follow is extremely unfair and close-minded. Also, she had rape victims pay for their own rape forensic examinations, which I find pretty horrible.

To the PP--- it's true that a lot of people are one-issue voters about abortion. Personally, there are many more issues out there that are important to me.

Sunday, September 14, 2008, 1:19 PM

More importantly, she believes that sex education should be taught in the home!!! Something went very wrong there

Monday, September 15, 2008, 9:57 PM

In what sense, Charlie?

Monday, September 15, 2008, 9:59 PM

You guys should really watch that interview that PP is referring to. Hilarious.

Monday, September 15, 2008, 10:51 PM

Absolutely hysterical!!!!!!!!

Monday, September 15, 2008, 10:57 PM

Just read the People interview/story on her. (The magazine is a week or two older). Anyone else notice the fact that she and her husband eloped and had their first child 7.5 months later? I won't criticize ANYONE for having a child who has an unplanned pregnancy but I do have a problem wtih people who do not practice what they preach themselves.

Monday, September 15, 2008, 11:22 PM

The first comment is too LONG & BORING!!

So I started reading it and it bored me. Instead I opted to read the rest of the comments replying to the 1st one and those are far more interesting to read then the crap on top.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 11:58 AM

american public is so ignorant and so visually impressed by candidates........ Palin is a MILF if I ever saw one! dont you agree? not bad for having 5 kids?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 5:58 PM

bump

Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 7:43 AM

Who saw BIGGEST LOSER?

Did anyone watch biggest loser last night? It was so inspirational. This week I will exercise double. That's my goal from here on till next week and then I'll go from there.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 11:15 AM

Biggest Loser? Is that a show about Sarah Palin?

:)

Sorry.. couldn't resist.

--

I did watch it, however. I think the amount of weight that the contestants lose in a week is kind of scary and might be sending the wrong message to viewers who want to lose weight. It doesn't come off that easy for normal people. Hopefully as the season continues they can touch more on the real issues that go along with making a life change.

I think that the yellow team is very inspiring. They are saving that man's life.

Sometimes I wish I could fast forward to the end so I can see what everyone looks like!

-dothezonk

Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 11:28 AM

what is MILF?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 8:31 PM

Its easy to critisize virtual anyone since no one on this planet has ever been perfect. Well, accept one. The truth is, if you look at Pali'ns political track record and what strides she has made, its easy to see that she has what it takes to make a difference.

As far as the pregnant daughter, maybe everyone doesn't realize that if you leave a teenaged boy and girl alone together, chances are very good that they will eventually have sex. Hence, our wise old great granparents used "chaperones. It is not considered the cultural norm to use chaperones these days, and sadly we either have babies born out of wedlock or murdered as a result. Friends, when you allow your teens to spend time alone with the opposite sex, you are setting them up for failure. The writing is on the wall.

While Palin's allowing her teenaged daughter to spend time alone with her boyfriend would be considered the cultural norm, it is not wise. However, when faced with choice between life or murder (legalized or not it is still murder) she and her daughter at least had a conscience. Unlike myself 16 years ago who believed the lie that the bouncing, thumb sucking, kicking baby in my womb was just "tissue".

I find it confusing to hear the same women who cry out "equality" also form a lynch mob against a woman who has somewhat acheived the very thing that they are trying to see happen.

As far as not practicing what she preaches, let she that has never been accused of not practicing what she preaches throw " the first stone." We all internally know what is right. Yet doing what is right thing is not always so simple.
Is it?

Sunday, February 28, 2010, 11:18 PM

Why are we back to this ancient, outdated, off-topic, inflammatory thread? This board is supposed to be a place to support each other in reaching our goals -- not a place to fight over everything under the sun. Water consumption? Okay, that's relevant. It's still stupid to fight over it, but at least that's relevant. Politics? No. That's stupid *and* irrelevant. Please, let old dogs die in peace.

Monday, March 01, 2010, 2:45 AM

Duh! Do you mean like Obomma ! Hopefully, he's a one term president.

Monday, March 01, 2010, 6:30 AM

Response to Palin Comment

And The Community Organizer who has never held a real job- is? Really? Maybe you should do some research before you show your complete ignorance!

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 2:43 PM

Palin

I love this thread title.

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 8:49 PM

yeah, she is so stupid. especially the whole stacking congress with grateful allies before she becomes president. total retard.

I heard a rumor she did not go to Yale. Can you believe that? A normal middle class american daring to take a position of power that only people from Yale or Harvard are qualified for. The horror!

Thursday, September 16, 2010, 10:28 PM

Take a position like governor of Alaska?

For 2 years?

And then quit when it got tough?

Please, I would love for her to run. Such an easy win against her.

Friday, September 17, 2010, 9:22 AM

Response to 'Response to Palin Comment' at 2:43 pm

Um, you totally did not get that the original post was completely sarcastic. It was pro-Palin comment.

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 12:07 PM

2:43 pm, you must have not actually read what the original post said.

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 12:08 PM

I'm not going to read one post in this thread and the only reason I'm adding my 2 cents is because this topic is close to the top of the threads.

Just like I've told the cross dresser guy who likes to stir things up, do we really need to be talking about this in a weight loss website? Due to the anonymity here, it REALLY seems to bring out the haters. Do we need to be discussing religion and politics here, mud slinging and bringing out so much negative energy? Shouldn't you be putting your energy into getting healthy, being positive, loving yourself and supporting others here? If you want to discuss/argue politics (or religion), why not go to a more appropriate forum?

No, I will not be reading any responses to this or commenting in this thread again. Instead I'm going to get off the computer now, go exercise and feel great. I wish the same for you.

Saturday, September 18, 2010, 2:38 PM

love this topic! may i say that i think sarah palin has been out-sarahed, in every respect, by christine o'donnell? every negative thing you can say about sarah can be said in spades about christine. except of course that christine does not have kids to use as props. other than that . . . it's a laugh a minute!